Pre-Okay 4 SA is a city-funded initiative to offer full-day prekindergarten to 1000’s of three- and four-year-old kids in San Antonio. As well as, it supplies free skilled improvement for lecturers in early childhood schooling and makes grants accessible to early childhood packages throughout San Antonio to extend entry to high-quality early studying. The imaginative and prescient of Pre-Okay 4 SA is that the widespread availability of high-quality early childhood schooling will, inside a technology, elevate San Antonio’s workforce to a world-class degree. This information will assist educate households in San Antonio in regards to the significance of early childhood schooling and builds a powerful basis for our metropolis’s youngest learners to raised put together them for lifelong success. Households can even discover ways to enroll their kids at one of many 4 Pre-Okay 4 SA schooling facilities across the metropolis and likewise the Gardendale Early Studying Program, powered by Pre-Okay 4 SA. Open enrollment for the 2024–25 faculty yr will start on February 1, 2023, and proceed till all spots are full.
About Pre-Okay 4 SA
Since its founding in 2012, Pre-Okay 4 SA has offered full-day prekindergarten for 1000’s of scholars at its 4 schooling facilities. By specializing in three- and four-year-old kids, this system lays a basis that can assist these SA kids carry out higher in class for years to come back.
Analysis signifies 90 % of mind improvement happens earlier than the age of 5. That’s why Pre-Okay 4 SA believes that two years of high-quality studying is best than one, and affords a scholarship construction for households who want it most.
Kids who attend do what they naturally do—play. Nevertheless, this system is designed strategically in order that the kids’s play additionally helps them construct reminiscence and creativeness. The supplies and actions on the facilities introduce language, math, science, and artwork. College students additionally construct language and social expertise.
Pre-Okay 4 SA has a broader affect on the group by its grants program that will increase high quality and entry in San Antonio preschool packages. Additionally, educators who educate prekindergarten to 3rd grade are welcomed at no cost skilled improvement to help greatest practices.
For extra info, we suggest you learn a number of the many information tales linked on the backside of this submit. Additionally, we invite you to hitch the San Antonio Constitution Mothers dialogue group on Fb and ask questions; the group consists of present and former Pre-Okay 4 SA households who can remark with solutions about their very own experiences.
Pre-Okay 4 SA Facilities in San Antonio
Pre-Okay 4 SA has 4 schooling facilities in San Antonio: East, North, South, and West. Every middle has capability for 500 college students. For details about security, we’ve got included hyperlinks to go looking Texas Division of Household and Protecting Companies (DFPS) little one care information. The one grade degree supplied at every campus is prekindergarten for four-year-old kids.
East Schooling Heart: 5230 Eisenhauer Rd., San Antonio, TX 78218 (map); 210-206-2850; DFPS Little one Care
North Schooling Heart: 3635 Medical Dr., San Antonio, TX 78229 (map); 210-206-2800; DFPS Little one Care
South Schooling Heart: 7031 S. New Braunfels Ave., San Antonio, TX 78223 (map); 210-206-2700; DFPS Little one Care
West Schooling Heart: 1235 Enrique M. Barrera Memorial Pkwy., San Antonio, TX 78227 (map); 210-206-2900; DFPS Little one Care
As well as, Pre-Okay 4 SA works in partnership with Edgewood ISD at Gardendale Early Studying Heart. At this replication web site, college students from three years of age to second grade take part in full day, top quality early childhood teaching programs. The deal with is 1731 Dahlgreen, San Antonio, TX 78237 (map), and the cellphone quantity is 210-898-4190. The TEA affords report playing cards for pre-Okay/kindergarten grades at Gardendale (paired with Memorial Excessive Faculty) and for the Edgewood ISD district as a complete.
Discover extra details about San Antonio preschools and different native early childhood schooling facilities in our information, San Antonio Constitution Colleges Pre-Okay Choices and Sources.
Enroll at Pre-Okay 4 SA
Households can apply on-line or name 210-206-PREK (7735) to enroll their kids. The appliance timeline for the 2024–25 faculty yr will begin on February 1, 2024. Spots are stuffed on a first-come, first-served foundation. Beginning on the primary Monday in February, households whose kids are accepted start receiving notifications by e mail. Extra waves of emails will exit every Monday till all of the slots on the facilities are full.
To enroll their kids, households want to fulfill sure eligibility necessities. You will discover extra info within the FAQs, however listed here are some key factors:
This system is for three- and four-year olds. Eligible kids should flip three by September 1 of the yr they are going to be attending this system.
To attend at no cost, households want to fulfill the eligibility necessities. They need to reside within the Metropolis of San Antonio or its extraterritorial jurisdiction. Additionally, they need to reside in one of many collaborating native faculty districts, together with East Central ISD, Edgewood ISD, Harlandale ISD, North East ISD, Northside ISD, San Antonio ISD, South San Antonio ISD, and Southwest ISD. As well as, they need to meet Texas Schooling Company (TEA) necessities at no cost public faculty prekindergarten.
Households who don’t meet the eligibility necessities to attend at no cost might qualify for tuition help by the scholarship program. The handy price calculator helps households decide the funding of their little one’s early studying. Ten % of seats are reserved for tuition paying college students.
In case you are researching San Antonio preschools and looking forward to the longer term, you possibly can join the join a tour. You too can search for occasions the place Pre-Okay 4 SA will likely be out in the neighborhood, corresponding to Faculty Discovery Days. We additionally suggest following their social media channels (Fb, Instagram, X (Twitter), YouTube, and LinkedIn) and becoming a member of the San Antonio Constitution Mothers dialogue group on Fb.
Details About Pre-Okay 4 SA
The schooling facilities are stuffed with pleasure and play, however they’re additionally calm and soothing. Behind the scenes, numerous analysis and preparation goes into making the scholars’ schooling significant and making a long-term affect on the workforce trajectory of San Antonio.
Early childhood schooling is essential, however typically households face obstacles to entry San Antonio preschools. Pre-Okay 4 SA strives to be welcoming by offering free transportation to and from the facilities at depots throughout city. The particular buses have seats designed for younger kids, together with 5 level security harnesses. Academics who’re CPR and First Assist Licensed function bus displays, using to and from faculty every day with the kids, partaking in songs and studying to benefit from each minute they spend at Pre-Okay 4 SA.
The college day begins at 7:45 AM and ends at 3:00 PM. Early drop off begins at 7:15 AM, and households can decide up their kids as early as 2:45 PM. For working households, there may be an prolonged day program from 3:00 PM to six:00 PM.
This system helps wholesome consuming. College students eat free day by day breakfasts, lunches, and snacks. The entire facilities are peanut free. Meals with meat might embrace hen or turkey, however not pork or beef; particular meals (e.g., gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian) are additionally accessible.
The entire facilities supply providers for fogeys, corresponding to Mum or dad Cafés that present house for fogeys on campus, and Mother and father as Companions teams to welcome households as leaders and advocates.
Pre-Okay 4 SA is making ready younger kids to be a part of the transformation of a world-class workforce in San Antonio inside a technology. This San Antonio preschool program has a direct profit for the two,000 three- and four-year-old kids who attend prekindergarten on the facilities annually, and has broader impacts on the early childhood schooling facilities that obtain grants and the lecturers who obtain skilled improvement and coaching. If this appears like an excellent alternative for your loved ones, we suggest that you just apply on-line. Even when your kids usually are not eligible, please assist unfold the phrase about how this system is strengthening the subsequent technology of San Antonio residents.
Constitution Mothers Chats
Watch Dr. Sarah Baray, CEO of Pre-Okay 4 SA, converse with Inga Cotton on Constitution Mothers Chats on January 31, 2024 at 3:00 PM Central reside on Fb and YouTube.
Dr. Sarah Baray joined Pre-Okay 4 SA in 2016, bringing greater than 25 years of schooling expertise to this system. Earlier than becoming a member of, Dr. Baray was a professor at Texas State College the place she directed the Ph.D. in Faculty Enchancment program and served as a researcher and teacher within the Academic and Neighborhood Management program. Previous to Texas State, Dr. Baray labored within the Austin Unbiased Faculty District, serving in varied roles together with trainer, principal, and district administrator.
Dr. Baray holds a Ph.D. in Govt Public Faculty Management from the College of Texas at Austin, the place she additionally earned Grasp of Schooling and Bachelor of Science levels. Her analysis pursuits middle on insurance policies and practices associated to academic fairness. As a scholar-practitioner, Dr. Baray makes use of analysis to tell apply, significantly because it pertains to the position of high-quality early studying in academic outcomes. Dr. Baray has authored dozens of articles and e-book chapters and offered in depth skilled improvement to assist educators change into extra culturally responsive.
Dr. Baray enjoys residing alongside the river within the coronary heart of San Antonio and is lively in the neighborhood. She serves on the boards of the Woman Scouts of Southwest Texas and the UP Partnership. Dr. Baray is married to Ray Baray, a local of San Antonio. Their daughter just lately graduated from American College in Washington, D.C.
Learn Extra About Early Childhood Schooling
“Metropolis, faculty leaders provoke marketing campaign to advertise attendance,” Isaac Windes, San Antonio Report, September 5, 2023
“With federal reduction ending, the standard and availability of kid care in San Antonio may very well be in peril,” Isaac Windes, San Antonio Report, July 10, 2023
“Native faculty districts associate with Early Issues to supply free Pre-Okay packages,” Information 4 San Antonio, Might 17, 2023
“Pre-Okay 4 SA working alleviate little one care deserts in south Bexar County,” Camelia Juarez, KSAT, Might 11, 2023
“Constitution Mothers Chats — Early Studying At Pre-Okay 4 SA, With Dr. Sarah Baray,” YouTube, January 26, 2023
“Mayor Ron Nirenberg surprises new class of three-year-old’s at Pre-Okay 4 SA,” Information 4 San Antonio, August 15, 2022
“Pre-Okay 4 SA provides 3-year-olds, expands free program for households,” Brooke Crum, San Antonio Report, Might 4, 2022
“Have you ever thought of Pre-Okay in your little one? Some issues to think about when deciding on a program,” KSAT, January 31, 2022
“Pre-Okay 4 SA opening enrollment quickly for 2022–2023 faculty yr,” Tiffany Huertas, KSAT, January 24, 2022
“Constitution Mothers Chats — Early Childhood Schooling At Pre-Okay 4 SA, With Dr. Sarah Baray,” YouTube, February 22, 2022
“Most US mother and father wrestle to seek out reasonably priced preschool. One Texas metropolis has them coated,” Alexandra Villarreal, Guardian, November 13, 2021
“Pre-Okay 4 SA campus closed Monday following vandalism to a number of school rooms,” David Ibañez, KSAT, September 13, 2021
“1000’s of San Antonio college students skipped pre-Okay and kindergarten final yr. How will lecturers assist them catch up?” Brooke Crum, San Antonio Report, July 25, 2021
“Constitution Mothers Chats — Pre-Okay 4 SA Enrollment, With Dr. Sarah Baray,” YouTube, February 2, 2021
“San Antonio Constitution Colleges Pre-Okay Choices and Sources,” Amy Johnson, San Antonio Constitution Mothers, January 8, 2021
“Constitution Mothers Chats—Pre-Okay 4 SA, With Dr. Sarah Barah,” YouTube, October 1, 2020
“Civic leaders name for Pre-Okay 4 SA renewal, early schooling for infants,” Iris Dimmick, San Antonio Report, September 25, 2020
“Schooling leaders to convene forward of Pre-Okay 4 SA tax reauthorization vote,” San Antonio Report, September 23, 2020
“Pre-Okay 4 SA a lifeline for teenagers, households,” Sandra Contreras, San Antonio Specific-Information, September 22, 2020
“San Antonio Leaders Put together For 2020 Vote To Renew Pre-Okay 4 SA,” Camille Phillips, Texas Public Radio, September 16, 2020
“San Antonio Pre-Okay 4 SA equips its remote-learning children with new iPads, web entry,” Liz Hardaway, San Antonio Specific-Information, September 8, 2020
“‘Preserve Pre-Okay 4 SA’ marketing campaign occasion highlights program successes forward of November election,” Lindsey Carnett, San Antonio Report, August 29, 2020
“Discussing the Way forward for Pre-Okay 4 SA,” San Antonio Specific-Information editorial board, Fb Dwell, August 27, 2020
“San Antonio Pre-Okay Program Seeks To Repair Achievement Hole,” Michael Martin, NPR, July 11, 2020
“After leaving this system, South San Antonio ISD once more companions with Pre-Okay 4 SA,” Krista Torralva, San Antonio Specific-Information, June 19, 2020
“Pre-Okay for SA honors younger college students with commencement parade,” Danielle Moody, FOX San Antonio, June 3, 2020
“November would be the time to resume Pre-Okay 4 SA,” Elaine Mendoza and Rad Weaver, San Antonio Specific-Information, April 8, 2020
“Metropolis, faculty leaders need to know if children who go to Pre-Okay 4 SA return to neighborhood public faculties,” Krista Torralva, San Antonio Specific-Information, March 11, 2020
“If Renewed, Pre-Okay 4 SA Plans To Develop Entry To Center Revenue Households,” Camille Phillips, Texas Public Radio, February 19, 2020
“Pre-Okay 4 SA is more and more an possibility for San Antonio households too prosperous at no cost pre-k,” Krista Torralva, San Antonio Specific-Information, December 23, 2019
“San Antonio’s Pre-Okay 4 SA ranked excessive amongst packages nationwide,” Krista Torralva, San Antonio Specific-Information, December 12, 2019
“UTSA City Schooling Institute releases full Pre-Okay affect research,” UTSA, August 13, 2019
“United Approach, Pre-Okay 4 SA supply to prepare enterprise alliance for little one care suppliers,” Krista Torralva, San Antonio Specific-Information, June 7, 2019
“Report: College students In Pre-Okay 4 SA Scored Higher On State Exams, Missed Fewer Days Of Faculty,” Camille Phillips, Texas Public Radio, January 29, 2019
“Research: College students in San Antonio’s Pre-Okay 4 SA program did higher on state checks,” Krista Torralva, San Antonio Specific-Information, January 28, 2019
“UTSA Research Signifies Pre-Okay 4 SA Positively Impacts STAAR Scores, Attendance,” Emily Donaldson, San Antonio Report, January 28, 2019
“Pre-Okay 4 SA supplied to run faculties in San Antonio—and Edgewood ISD mentioned sure,” Krista Torralva, San Antonio Specific-Information, January 18, 2019
“Measuring success at San Antonio’s public preschool program,” Bekah McNeel, Hechinger Report, July 17, 2018
“Excessive Demand For Pre-Okay 4 SA Continues As San Antonio’s Inhabitants Grows,” Camille Phillips, Texas Public Radio, January 30, 2018
“Pre-Okay 4 SA South Schooling Heart Is a Mannequin of Excessive High quality Early Childhood Schooling,” San Antonio Constitution Mothers, October 2, 2017